The Health Ministry says it will from this week, begin a reactive vaccination programme in the Upper West Region as part of measures to contain the outbreak of Neisseria meningitis, a new strain of meningitis.

Although Neisseria meningitis is not new, the Ministry believes it has the potential of becoming an epidemic if not brought under control.

Neisseria meningitis spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions during coughing, sneezing, kissing and chewing on toys.

This especially includes young children and their child care-givers or nursery-school contacts, as well as anyone who had direct exposure to a patient through kissing, sharing utensils, or medical interventions such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 

It initially produces general symptoms like fatigue, fever, and headache and can rapidly progress to neck stiffness, coma and death in 10% of cases. 

The recent outbreak of three strains of meningitis in nine regions in Ghana has claimed the lives of 100 people with over 400 recorded cases.

Deputy Health Minister, Dr Victor Bampoe said the pneumococcal strain appears to be phasing out with the Neisseria now emerging as the dominant strain.

“In three districts in Upper West, Jirapa Nadowli and Nandom it was found out that they have a different strain of meningitis…it is not a new strain but the old one that has always been in the three northern regions, " said Dr Bampoe.

He told Joy News’ Matilda Wemegah in an interview that, “So we applied for vaccines through the World Health Orgnisation (WHO) to do a reactive vaccination in those here districts and that will be carried out from the 14 to 20 of March.” 

He was hopeful that this will preemptively stop any big outbreak that may occur.

Dr Bampoe also noted that some areas in the Northern Region are still recording the pneumococcal strain, except in lower numbers.

He said district and regional health officers are still on top of the issue and are working hard to bring the outbreak under control.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry with the Veterinary service has begun investigations into what is suspected to be an outbreak of Anthrax in the Northern Region.

Two deaths have so far been recorded in Bawku in the Northern Region.